I'm a versatile blogger, didn't you know!

I was honoured and delighted to discover that the lovely Phil of Green Ink nominated me as a Versatile Blogger today! I am still trying to fully comprehend what such an accolade might mean...

Versatile (adjective)

1. capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavour, etc.: a versatile writer.

2. having or capable of many uses: a versatile tool.

3. Botany: attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely, as an anther.

4. Zoology: turning either forward or backward: a versatile toe.

5. variable or changeable, as in feeling, purpose, or policy: versatile moods.

Origin:

1595–1605; from the Latin versātilis revolving, many-sided

It sounds quite fitting but mostly I am humbled by, and grateful for, the intention. So, in the spirit of generosity and nurturing, I am only too happy to abide by the conditions of accepting the award, which are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Give the award to 15 bloggers you've recently discovered.

Now the lovely and clever Phil has already been thanked (and do check out her delightful blogs), so now I believe it behoves me to reveal seven things about my self. I have recently been given to wonder if there is anything about myself left to reveal! But here goes...

1) My favourite film for many years was Cabaret, directed by Bob Fosse, starring Liza Minelli, Joel Grey and Michael York. I adored this film partly for Fosse's excruciatingly brilliant direction and choreography, partly for the heart-wrenching show-stoppers, and partly because I fancied myself as a Sally Bowles-type character. I'm kind of past the latter now, although I still do have a soft spot for the movie (and sequins and feathers).

2) The strangest snack combination I'll confess to is sesame crackers topped with tahini and "craisins" (i.e. dried cranberries). I know, the sound of it even grosses me out. But once I start...

3) My lowercase handwriting is woeful. By the time I started school, teaching good old fashioned cursive script had gone out of vogue and not a day goes by that I don't mildly resent it! My uppercase handwriting (which I tend to use on the rare occasions I have to handwrite something for someone else) is angular and only barely legible, if I'm to be honest. But I like it because it sometimes reminds me of my Dad's.

4) I hate hate hate the sound of eating/crunching noises. I mean, I really cannot abide it. I like to think it is genetic. My mother's youngest sister (who was my godmother and whom I adored and from whom my little 'un inherits her middle name) used to serve savoury nibblies to guests then leave the room so she wouldn't have to listen to them eat them! [I love that.]

5) I am hopeless at ball sports, actually anything that requires hand-eye co-ordination or skating-like motion. I am so clueless that it was only recently that I discovered (much to the hilarity of my bff) that when top-seeded tennis players hit the ball, they have a pretty good idea where it will land. I thought that everyone just thrust their racquet in the general direction of the oncoming ball and prayed that the two intersect... like me.

6) I have a very early memory of asking my Dad, "What's it like when you die?". I must have been about four. He replied, "Well, what was it like before you were born?". I thought long and hard about that one... not being born was not all that distant a memory, when I was four.

7) When "signing off" a phone conversation with my sister, she invariably says, "Well, have fun!". I love my sister to bits but for some reason, that really irks me. Sometimes I think it irks me because it feels like it is something she is saying without really thinking about it... not insincere, as such (because my sister is a very sincere person) but perhaps a bit of a habit? Other times, I suspect it irks me because I am a misanthrope who is given to wonder, "What's FUN got to do with it?". [Probably a good thing I'm enrolled in Dream Lab!]

And finally, here are fifteen recent-ish posts that have really spoken to me:

1) Nicolien's post on her honeymoon in Iran really opened my eyes. And her Qussa visual journal is absolutely breathtaking.

2) Joe's Eating My Ideas series. I love seeing his dreams come to life!

3) Krissie touched my heart with the courage she took to dream.

4) Susie’s brilliant story about the fart that clinched the interview is a must-read.

5) Amiee's realisation about her true calling was a treasure to witness.

6) Jan’s reaching out to her seven year old self moved me to tears.

7) Rachel continues to astonish me with her presence as a parent, and a writer and artist.

8) Elizabeth’s Ode to Joy series is absolute magic.

9) Aimee's heart is as breathtakingly beautiful as her art.

10) Cathy was right on the money about living the creative life not being for the fainthearted!

11) Monica's timely reminder about little miracles was a gift.

12) Lee’s weekly celebration of everything good in her world never fails to bring a smile to my face.

13) Amy is a wise, talented and generous soul.

14) Kimberley’s encounter with a mysterious red-headed guru was uncannily timed with the ascendance of the new red-headed Australian Prime Minister!

15) Jen’s posts are sorely missed… I hope they return soon!

Now that the baton has been passed to these fifteen versatile bloggers, I look forward to seeing the seven things they choose to reveal, and the fifteen bloggers that have inspired them in turn.